Police catch juvenile after attempted armed robbery

NEW BEDFORD — Police caught a juvenile after he tried to rob a North End store at gunpoint Tuesday, according to a police report.

NEW BEDFORD — Police caught a juvenile after he tried to rob a North End store at gunpoint Tuesday, according to a police report.

The 16-year-old was charged with attempted armed robbery and assault with a dangerous weapon, police said.

At about 6:30 p.m., an attempted armed robbery was reported at the Tienda Centro Americana store, 1527 Acushnet Ave.

The suspect entered the store, brandished a small firearm and demanded money from the register, police said. The 15-year-old clerk behind the counter began screaming for her mother who was in the back room. She came out and both women began screaming at the suspect, according to Detective Capt. Steven Vicente.

The suspect tried to open the register but was unsuccessful. He tried to take the entire register but was unable to do so. He then fled empty-handed and was last seen running on Acushnet Avenue, Vicente said.

Checking the surveillance video, officers David Jorge and Thomas Chevalier recognized the suspect as a juvenile they have dealt with in the past, police said. The teenage clerk also recognized him as he had recently sent her a friend request on Facebook, the report stated.

About an hour later, members of the gang unit found the suspect walking in the area of Acushnet and Coffin avenues wearing different clothes, police said. They did not find the alleged firearm.

Police brought the suspect back to the scene and he was positively identified by the victims. He was arraigned Wednesday in New Bedford District Court, Vicente said.